That was music to Rovers fans’ ears. With the outside back returning Down Under for another crack in the NRL following relegation from Super League, KR were in need of that pick-me-up and someone to fill the void.

Penning a one-year deal with the Robins, Butler-Fleming was given the opportunity to be unleashed in the English game.

Unfortunately, the surface probably hasn’t been scratched with the 24-year-old, through no fault of his own. Playing just nine games for KR in 2017 tells you the full story.

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Signed in mid-December, Butler-Fleming was already a month behind many of his team-mates in terms of preparation. But there was more cause for concern when bringing over a troublesome knee injury to UK shores. Suffering the problem in the latter stages of NRL feeder side Wentworthville Magpies’ campaign, Butler-Fleming was always playing catch-up.

Witnessing his punishing rehabilitation first-hand whilst on the club’s warm-weather training camp in Tenerife, he was doing everything he could to get involved - but the niggling thought of worsening the knee always haunted him and precautions were all-but always taken.

It wasn’t until Easter Monday, away in Toulouse, that Butler-Fleming made his long-awaited Rovers debut in the 14-6 loss. It was to be another 20 days before the winger featured again for KR, with his knee flaring up once more.

Then came something of a purple patch for Butler-Fleming, turning out in five consecutive clashes for Rovers, scoring two tries in the process, both in the landslide win over Batley Bulldogs.

But he was then sent to York on dual-registration terms, missing two KR clashes, and pulled up in the warm-up for the City Knights, representing just another set-back for Butler-Fleming to add to his frustration.

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Finally, a two-game spell, against Bradford Bulls and Toulouse, saw the Australian really come into some form for Rovers. Scoring in both ties, Butler-Fleming was named man of the match by the Mail for his showing at Odsal, impressing both in attack and defence. Against Toulouse, he produced more of a mixed bag, with errors turning into tries for the French outfit but scored at the death to reduce the deficit.

That 31-30 loss proved to be the final outing for the winger in red and white for this year. Signed on only a 12-month contract, it remains unclear whether Butler-Fleming will return to KCOM Craven Park in 2018.

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There is divided opinion on his loan to York for the remainder of the campaign. But you can understand why KR coach Tim Sheens has given him the opportunity for regular football in North Yorkshire, with competition rife in Rovers' back-line as we approach the Qualifiers.

There is a great player in there with plenty of potential - and with a little bit of lady-luck, he could have played a starring role in KR's promotion push. Butler-Fleming can use 2017's obstructions to his advantage for the rest of his career. Whether of not that is at Rovers remains to be seen.